10/1 All Good Things
Hi everyone,
In happening almost right now go!!! news: Donation Reiki circle to support the Alzheimer’s Association is October 4 and the Walk2EndAlz is October 19. Go!
And now—
THINGS HAPPENED
Teaching began, and I am enjoying my classes. My sci-fi class has spent several sessions discussing the time travel of a desk, and we keep finding more questions than answers. I also found myself at Volkswagen and the Apple Store, trying to get my Apple Car Play to work; each of them say it’s the other’s issue. Please send tech help.
My birthday unfolded in Hamilton, NJ as a surprise trip to see art and experience nature and also visit a very large temple that offered an orientation video on how to visit. I love a good orientation! I then celebrated by seeing animal sculptures on Park Ave and visiting the Tesla exhibit at the New Yorker Hotel (and being pitched for a time share that the woman told me was somehow a birthday gift for me) and drinking a hummus shake that I thought I would like more than I actually did. The celebrating wrapped up with a family day during which my mom stood up. This lady, I’m telling you, she’s one tough little nugget.
WELLNESS CORNER
September was International Yoga Awareness Month, and Sukha highlighted my yoga story over on Instagram.
Donation-based Reiki is October 4 at 12:30 PM at Sukha Studio! Donations accepted via Venmo, Zelle, or cash and will go to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Support Team J and J for the Walk2EndAlz on October 19.
In addition to my regular Tuesdays at Sukha 5:45-6:45, I will also be available once again for private individual and group sessions in person and online for yoga, Reiki (in person only), and meditation in addition to programming starting mid-October. Email me to set up a session.
Want a yoga playlist? Here ya go:
Also, I’m happy to share a new collaborative meditation video with Somnambulant Visuals:
KUDOS!
Linda Opyr’s poem “Argos Dreamed” received a nomination from Crannog for the Forward Prize 2025!
Jami Macarty’s The Long Now Conditions Permit is forthcoming from U of Nevada’s Test Site Poetry Series!
Sara Cahill Marron’s Reasons For is out from Broadstone Books!
BOOKSHELF
I read a few more pages of Figuring along with some Buddhism books and poetry. Also, I flew through The Address Book by Sophie Calle, which my brother got me for my birthday, not realizing how psyched I am to read it. Sophie Calle is one of my artistic favorites. I’m waiting on Before the Coffee Gets Cold to arrive at the library so I can read it for book club (y’all, we’re gonna have a coffee tea swap!).
Fiction
Sex. Lies. Murder. Fame. by Lolita Files – I skimmed it because I’ve read it before. [You can read the recap of book club here.]
“Precious Things” by Sara Hosey
Poetry
Free Ferry by Ann Celfola
In Which by Denise Duhamel
“tonight I feel like my last lover” by Adrija Ghosh
https://poems.com/poem/tonight-i-feel-like-my-last-lover/
“Vespers” by Meg Day
https://poets.org/poem/vespers-0
“Heaven” by Shannon Burns
https://poems.com/poem/heaven/
“Voiceover” by Rita Dove
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/153520/voiceover
“Waiting For Your Call” by Aria Aber
https://poets.org/poem/waiting-your-call
“Proof” by Tiana Clark
https://www.best-poems.net/tiana-clark/proof.html
A suite of poems by Kim Addonizio
https://www.onlypoems.net/poets/kim-addonizio/poems
“War” by Nisrine Mbarki Ben-Ayad
https://poets.org/poem/war-2
“Poem of September 24” by Samira Negrouche
https://poets.org/poem/poem-september-24
“Schrodinger” by Katie Erbs
https://poems.com/poem/schrodinger/
“How To Live” by Todd Dillard
https://www.onlypoemsdaily.com/p/how-to-live-todd-dillard
“Cows In The Parking Lot Of The Emergency Dentist” by Angela Janda
https://www.onlypoemsdaily.com/p/cows-in-the-parking-lot-of-the-emergency-dentist-angela-janda
“Back Door, 1973” by Paul Hostovsky
https://www.muleskinnerjournal.com/back-door-1973
Nonfiction
The Address Book by Sophie Calle
World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil
Visual
“How To Crowd Surf” by Courtney Skaggs and Alyssa Bluhm
https://www.paranoidtree.com/read/vol-56
“Drawing hands” by KC Councilor
https://therumpus.net/2025/09/10/drawing-hand
Internet
Stuff went down at Rust & Moth: https://rustandmoth.com/2025/a-letter-to-a-young-plagiarist/
Kiss Cam ColdPlay: https://www.complex.com/life/a/backwoodsaltar/husband-of-coldplay-affair-kiss-cam-was-also-cheating
But could he spell Schuylkill? https://coalregioncanary.com/2025/09/21/kutztown-man-cant-spell-fake-names-during-traffic-stop-schuylkill-county/
And of course check out these:
Brand new typewriter photographs! If you haven’t perused them yet, definitely do so now! Also available: signed copies of How We Make Amends, post card sentiments, found poetry, and inspirational stickers.
LISTEN
I chatted yoga and poetry with Vegas K Jarrow and W Lance Hunt on their Truth to Power show on Radio Free Brooklyn.
My poem “Building A More Perfect Beast” aired on Destinies: The Voice of Science Fiction radio show. (Poem at 0:45).
Melody Jones interviewed Trish Hopkinson on Lit Radio KAFM.
How To Make Lasagna In The Dishwasher on How To Do Everything
This episode of The Gayly Dose talks about the importance of the arts in the U. S. and abroad. (Also, the Reality Gays tend to get raunchy. You’re welcome.)
Here’s Sunday Funday Book Club’s soundtrack for Sex.Lies.Murder.Fame.
WATCH
Book trailer for Reasons for Étant Donnés
Beyond The Bar (Netflix, one of many Korean lawyer shows)
OPPORTUNITIES
Tell Tell Poetry’s Where To Submit Poetry shared spreadsheet
Swim Press open submissions, Deadline October 5
https://swim-press.co.uk/submit/
Art Omi Open Call, Autumn 2026, Writers and Translators, Deadline October 15
https://artomi.org/residencies/writers/
Transformation Project, Arts Letters & Numbers, Deadline October 15
https://www.artslettersandnumbers.com/transformation-project-2025-open-call
Moment Magazine-Karma Foundation Short Fiction Contest, Deadline November 1, $25 fee
https://momentmag.com/karma-fiction-contest/
Barrax/Bayes Poetry Contest, For Active Military and Veterans, Deadline November 15
https://www.ncwriters.org/programs/competitions/barrax-bayes-poetry-contest/
Strange Pilgrim Open Submissions, Deadline November 30
https://submissions.strangepilgrims.com/
Chestnut Review is accepting submissions for chapbooks through November 30. (Reading fee).
https://chestnutreview.com/chapbooks/
Oak Spring Garden Foundation Eliza Moore Fellowship, Opens Feb 2026/Closes May 2026
https://www.osgf.org/fellowships/eliza-moore-artistic-excellence
SUGGESTED THINGS
Gina Sipley’s Aurora Bookshop
Hamilton, NJ Birthday Edition!
BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham (Robinsville)
Grounds for Sculpture (Trenton)
Hamilton Veterans Park
MISCELLANY
A hotel I stayed at over the summer attached their toiletries to the shower wall and numbered them:
1. Shampoo
2. Conditioner
3. Body Wash
Have I been doing this wrong the whole time? Is this the correct order? My mind is blown. Thoughts?
All good things,
Christina
**Of course, you can forward this email to those you think may have interest. If you post information publicly, please link back to me. Appreciate it.
THINGS ARE HAPPENING
My calendar https://www.christinamrau.com/calendar
Updated book club info: https://www.christinamrau.com/book-club
Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Reiki Circle, Donation-based for the Alzheimer’s Association, Sukha Studio Register here for free: https://momence.com/Sukha-Studio/Donation-Reiki-Circle/123192603?skipPreview=true
Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 1-7 PM
Haunted Harvest, Amityville
https://allevents.in/amityville/amityvilles-haunted-harvest/200027984521119#google_vignette
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Spaceburgh, 2nd Annual Festival, Pittsburgh, PA,
https://www.spaceburgh.org/
Monday, October 6, 2025 at 7pm EST
Kim Roberts and Michael Gushue read from Q&A for the End of the World, along with Bonnie Naradzay and Michele Wolf at the Cafe Muse Series https://wordworksbooks.org/event/bonnie-naradzay-michele-wolf-kim-roberts-michael-gushue/
Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 10 AM – 8 PM
Darkside New Jersey Art & Oddities Expo
https://eastonpost.com/event/darkside-new-jersey-art-oddities-expo-2025/
Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 10 AM
Walk2EndAlz
Donate here: http://act.alz.org/goto/christinamrau
October 23-28, 2025
MoCA Lights VI, Patchogue Arts Council
http://patchoguearts.org/https-patchoguearts-org-events-2/
October 23-25, 2025
Boston Book Festival
https://bostonbookfest.org/#next
Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 11 AM – 7 PM
Divination Festival, Witch Btch Thrift, New Haven, CT
https://www.facebook.com/witchbtchthrift/
Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 10 AM – Noon
Sunday Funday Book Club reading Before The Coffee Gets Cold plus tea and coffee swap!
https://www.christinamrau.com/book-club
Sunday, November 23, 2025 at 10 AM-Noon
Sunday Funday Book Club reading Jerks
https://www.christinamrau.com/book-club
On The Regular (Always check with venues. If no contact info is listed below, google it. If your series has changed, let me know for next time. If you want to add your series, drop me a line).
One Sunday a month: Mid-Island Y JCC Poetry Series 2-4 PM https://www.gaylteller.com/mid-island-2/
First Sundays: Poetic License, online, 4 PM, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82298684083#success
One Sunday a month: Speculative Sundays with Akua Lezli Hope, online, 7 PM EST https://akualezlihope.com/speculative-poetry
Later-in-the-month Sundays: Book Club at Ghost Brewing Company from 10-noon
Third Sundays: Sunday Reading Series at The Hungry Brain, 6:30 PM, http://www.hungrybrainchicago.com/
Every Monday: Open Mic at Great South Bay Brewery, Bay Shore, 6:30 PM
Every Monday: Restless Open Mic, Marché Le Woof 31-03 Vernon Boulevard Astoria. Signups at 6:30 PM
Every Monday: Phoenix Reading Series, Shades of Green 125 e 15th NY NY, 6:30 PM, $5 plus food purchase
Every Monday: The Underground Open Mic at Bar Freda (Queens/Brooklyn Border), 7:30 PM
Every Monday: Easy Paradise Open Mic at KGB Red Room, 8 PM, sign up in advance, 21+, 2 drink min
First Tuesdays: First Tuesdays Series, Espresso 77 Cafe, Jackson Heights, 6:40 Sign up, 7 PM open begins, feature follows, $5 purchase, https://firsttuesdays.net/
First Tuesdays: Poetry At Greenspace, 47 Broadway Rocky Pt, NY, 7 PM (open mic sign up 6:30), jeweliasdad@aol.com for info
First Tuesdays: Calling All Writers Spoken Word Open Mic, Urban Coffee, 101 Broadway, Greenlawn, NY, 7-8 PM, 5 minute limit, kindness required
Every Wednesday: Wednesday Night Poetry, Kollective Coffee and Tea, Hot Springs, AZ, 6:30-9 PM
First Wednesdays: The Platform, Madison Community Arts Center 10 Kings Rd Madison NH, 8 PM, https://www.madisonartsnj.org/about/community-arts-center
Second Wednesdays: Poetry: It's a Shore Thing!, Long Beach Library (NY), 6 PM https://longbeachlibrary.org/
Second Wednesdays/Thursdays: The Muse at Neirs Tavern, Queens, 7 PM
Fourth Wednesdays: Risk of Discovery at QED Astoria, 7:30-9 PM
https://www.pw.org/content/the_risk_of_discovery_reading_series_and_the_queens_literary_scene
First Thursdays: BVAC at Jack Jacks, Babylon, 7 PM babylonvillagearts.org
First Thursdays: Poetry Circle Open Mic, Living Room Café, Ardmore, PA, 6:30 PM livingroomardmore.com
Third Thursdays: Poetry Pairs Series, Literature Repository Reading, Bohemia, 7 PM
Third Thursdays: NeuroNautic Institute Presents open mic with features, Otto’s Shrunken Head, NYC, 7-9 PM
Third Thursdays: At Brookline Booksmith, MA, 7 PM, www.brooklinebooksmith.com
Third Thursdays: SAFTA Reading Series, Pretentious Beer Co, Old City Knoxville, TN https://www.sundresspublications.com/safta/reading-series/
Every Friday: Fridays: Seed Café Open Mic, 250 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI, 6:30 PM
https://allevents.in/pawtucket/seed-caf%C3%A9-open-mic-fridays/200025919132025
First Fridays: Revolutionary Poetry Nights, Grounds Books and Coffee, Tuscon, AZ www.revolutionarygrounds.com
First Fridays: Maryland Writers’ Association, 7 PM EST, online, https://marylandwriters.org/first_fridays
Third Fridays: Hudson Valley Writers Center in person and online, 7 PM https://writerscenter.org/calendar/
Last Fridays: Northport Arts Coalition Poetry Reading, Northport and online, 7:30 PM EST https://www.northportarts.org/
Last Fridays: Friday Night Fire, Teatro Yerbabruja Second Avenue Fire House, Bay Shore, NY, 7 PM, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/friday-night-fire-featured-artist-and-open-mic-event-tickets-488297128857
Last Fridays: Redmond Association of Spoken Word, Centro Cultural Mexicano Redmond, WA, 7-9 PM, www.centroculturalmexicano.org
Every Saturday: Astoria Music Collective Saturday Songwriters at The Local Bar, 3 PM,
https://happeningnext.com/event/saturday-songwriters-open-mic-at-the-local-bar-astoria-eid3a0889pfbk
Every Saturday: Cultivating Voices Live, online, 3 PM EST
https://www.nmpoetry.com/wp/events/cultivating-voices-live-poetry-online
Biweekly Saturdays: Lip Balm, online, 5 PM EST
First Saturdays: PPA East Meadow Library, 1-3 PM, hosted by J R Turek and Margarette Wahl
Third Saturdays: PPA Levittown Town Hall, 1-3 PM, hosted by J R Turek
Various Saturdays: It’s Poetry Baby!, Oceanside Library, NY, 2 PM
Last Saturdays: Poetry Street On The Road at Riverhead Library and online, Riverhead NY, 2 – 4 PM, poetrystreetontheroad.com
Various monthly: Ludy Café and Hudson Valley Poetry, Irvington, NY, ludycafe.com
Congrats! You've made it to the end! As always, this newsletter is gratis. If you wish to at any time, you can feel free to buy me a tea (or a coffee).